Ocoee Fire Department trains firefighters on vehicle stabilization tool

OCOEE The Ocoee Fire Department has a new tool to help stabilize vehicles that have overturned in an accident. 

V-Strut stabilizers, manufactured by Holmatro, are v-shaped and attach the vehicle to the ground to aid with stabilization when firefighters must remove patients from the vehicle.

Stabilizing the car is crucial in a situation where patients must be cut out of a vehicle, because it protects the patients’ necks and other body parts that might be injured, said Lt. Tom Smothers.

The V-Strut stabilizers are now in use in Ocoee fire engines. According to Holmatro, the stabilizers are lightweight and take less than 15 seconds to secure. 

Firefighters held their training at Budget U-Pull-It in Winter Garden. Bill Rutherford provided vehicles and space for the training. 

To learn more about the V-Strut, visit Holmatro’s website.

Contact Jennifer Nesslar at [email protected].